Finding sustainable paths to improved patient outcomes
Sustainability in action
We believe our collective health depends on the health of our planet. That makes environmental responsibility an essential complement to our core mission: advancing patient care through innovation and technology.
Our commitment to sustainability directly supports our customers’ sustainability goals.
Medtronic has committed to carbon neutral emissions across our operations by 2030, with aspirations to be net zero across our value chain by 2045.1
Improving our footprint operationally with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy, water, and waste
Committing to reduce product-level emissions through supplier-led decarbonization, lower-carbon materials, and waste reduction
Continually focusing on waste reduction by investing in modular product design, reduced packaging, and measurable end-of-life solutions
Our near-term emissions reduction targets are validated by Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and shared publicly.
We’re embedding sustainability in alignment with our Mission.
Responsible patient-centric innovation
Elevating outcomes for patients, healthcare professionals, and the environment
Circularity in MedTech
Extending product life by keeping products, materials, and components circulating within the economy through design improvements and end-of-life solutions
Minimizing use of resources
Reducing hospital waste, materials of concern, and environmental footprint of operations globally
What does responsible end‑of‑life management look like for Medtronic products?
Driving responsible patient-centric innovation
Patients inspire our pursuit of innovation — and our mission drives us to put inspiration into action. That’s why we’re taking steps to elevate outcomes for patients, customers, and the environment.
LigaSure™ vessel sealing
Reliable performance†,2 and responsible progress.
Our trusted vessel sealing technology delivers reliable performance along with sustainability.
By removing the black plastic wrap on the shaft of our LigaSure™ blunt tip and Maryland jaw devices, we are able to:
- Eliminate over 2.7 million feet of plastic per year3
- Reduce waste2
Refer to the IFU for more information on Indications, Contraindictions and Risks.
Sonicision™ 7 curved jaw cordless ultrasonic dissector
The freedom to do more,‡,4 — while throwing away less.§,5
Experience the freedom of a cordless design while leveraging reusable components to reduce waste.
- Our autoclavable generator is reusable for 150 procedures before replacement.6
- Reusable components reduce the need for frequent production and disposal without compromising quality and safety.
- The Sonicision™ 7 curved jaw cordless ultrasonic dissection device produces 44% less waste than Harmonic HD1000i™* and 1100 devices.§,5
GI Genius™ intelligent endoscopy system
Designed to support endoscopists in optimising colonoscopy practice.7-9
The latest generation of the GI Genius™intelligent endoscopy system offers:
- Computer Aided Detection (CADe)8
- Computer Aided Diagnosis (CADx)8
- Polyp size estimation8
- Automated Procedural highlights8
Proven technology with meaningful impact:7-9
- Up to 14% Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR) increase9, helping physicians identify subtle polyps that might otherwise be missed9
- Up to 50% reduction in unnecessary polypectomies7
With GI Genius™ CADx, endoscopists can apply cost-saving strategies with confidence.7
This device is not intended to replace clinical decision making. Refer to the IFU for more information on Indications, Contraindictions and Risks.
BIS™ brain monitoring system
Better insights. Lower emissions.
BIS™ technology individualizes dosing from beginning to end, helping you make efficient use of OR resources.10–14
By reflecting the anesthetic effect on each patient’s brain to personalize dosing, the BIS™ brain monitoring system can:
- Improve emergence times, with patients waking up 2–4 minutes faster10–14
- Allow clinicians to use up to 38% less anesthetic agents in a procedure10–14
- Reduce postoperative delirium up to 29%15
The BIS™ brain monitoring system should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis or therapy and is intended only as an adjunct in patient assessment. Reliance on the BIS™ brain monitoring system alone for intraoperative anesthetic management is not recommended.
Promoting circularity in MedTech
We’re exploring ways to extend product life by keeping materials and components efficiently circulating within the economy through forward-thinking product design and end-of-life solutions.
Signia™ stapling system
Intelligence built in. Waste left out.
The modular design of the intelligent Signia™ stapling system advances material efficiency in linear and circular powered stapling while upholding the highest standards of quality.
- The multiuse Signia™ platform reduces raw material use up to 90%.◊,16
- The rechargeable handle reduces waste up to 70% in select procedures¶,16 vs. the Echelon Flex™* device.
- The Signia™ circular stapler produces 88% less waste compared to the Ethicon Echelon Circular™* powered stapler.¶,17
- The rechargeable handle can be reused for 300 procedures.16
Risks may include, but are not limited to: acute/chronic pain, bleeding, infection, and tissue damage. Potential complications may include failure to anastomose, blood loss, ischemia, stenosis, bowel perforation, gastro-intestinal obstruction/occlusion, and tissue breakdown.
TruClear™ hysteroscopic tissue removal system
Designed for optimum performance.
The TruClear™ system enables effective procedures#,18–20 while advancing environmentally responsible practices.
Reusable components like the TruClear™ handpiece reduce the need for frequent production and disposal and allow for reduced packaging.
By leveraging the TruClear™ system and HysteroLux™ fluid management you can reduce waste by:
- 10% vs. Hologic MyoSure™* REACH and Fluent fluid management system, when used in the OR21
- 14.5% vs. Hologic MyoSure™* LITE and Fluent fluid management system, when used in the OR21
- 33% vs. Hologic MyoSure™* MANUAL and Fluent fluid management system, when used in the Outpatient/Office setting21
As with all operative hysteroscopy, adverse effects include but are not limited to intravasation, uterine perforation, exposure to body fluids, laceration, carcinogen exposure, electric shock, and air embolism.
Nellcor™ OxySoft™ SpO2 sensor
Repositionable 18 times.22
When sensors are repositioned, they lose their stickiness. The adhesive can stick to itself, or the sensor may struggle to re-post a number. Taping over the sensor is sometimes attempted, but repositioning often leads to early disposal.
To address this challenge, Medtronic has introduced an SpO2 sensor with a silicone adhesive designed to withstand up to 18 repositions without losing its adhesiveness.*
By enabling multiple repositions, the sensor can remain in use longer instead of being discarded prematurely.
McGRATH™ MAC+
Always ready. Always reliable.23
The McGRATH™ rechargeable battery system powers the McGRATH™ video laryngoscope to support higher first-pass success rates24,25 lowering the environmental impact of intubation.
- 97.8% reduction in waste generation by reducing the need for single-use batteries∆,26
Minimalist material use:
- 76% – 83% reduction in material waster vs standard disposible blade alternatives27
- 100% recyclable packaging28
For trained personnel only. For specific indications and instructions for use, please refer to the product manual.
Minimizing use of resources
We’re committed to developing initiatives meant to minimize customer waste, reduce materials of concern, and shrink the environmental footprint of operations globally.
IFU paper reduction
Cut paper. Not trees.
Medtronic will eliminate 2,500 tons of paper waste by FY30 by moving to eIFUs.
- Our LigaSure™ and Sonicision™ portfolios have streamlined, transitioning from six paper IFUs to one, saving 230 metric tons of paper in one year.29
- Our hernia mesh portfolio has transitioned to electronic instructions for use (eIFUs), eliminating 79 metric tons of paper waste in one year.30
- We're making eIFU the default choice for new product launches including our Hugo™ robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system, launching with eIFU in the U.S. market to avoid paper use.
Hugo™ RAS system: Risks may include arrythmia, bleeding, burns, infection, tissue damage, or other complications.
Endo Clip™ III devices
Secure. Stable. Sustainable.∞,31–33
We’ve removed the electric clip counter and lithium battery from Endo Clip™ III devices, instead color-coding the last three clips in the device blue to alert surgeons of low clip count to reduce waste without compromising quality.
This small design change allows us to:
- Reduce waste by approximately 2.4 tons each year 31,32
- Lower expenses of hazardous waste 31,32
- Annual supply chain shipping savings of 9,500 miles (15,000 kilometers) 31,32
Refer to the IFU for more information on Indications, Contraindictions and Risks.
VersaOne™ access system
Delivering access without the excess.
Our universal trocar platform provides versatility and efficiency34 in one complete solution.
The redesigned packaging configuration on VersaOne™ trocars is made from recycled materials††,35 and results in an 80% reduction in packaging material weight due to the redesigned soft pouch display packaging††,35
Managing end-of-life responsibly at Medtronic
The waste impact of medical devices creates a sustainability challenge for healthcare.
Operating rooms account for 30% of a hospital’s total waste, with single-use devices being a major contributor.36,37
- How we approach responsible end‑of‑life management
- How we support the waste hierarchy
Medtronic is
investing in waste reduction through extended product life and end-of-life solutions.1
We opt for modular devices or reusable components like the Signia™ stapling system and TruClear™ hysteroscopy system whenever possible.
We consider the option of rechargeable batteries for select devices like the McGRATH™ MAC+ video laryngoscope, where the the reduction of electronic waste make an impact.
We seek innovative ways to reduce packaging and materials and divert waste from landfills for invasive or high-criticality devices when single-use is needed.
Circularity across the portfolio
Innovative offerings that pair the right solutions with the right products
